Outcome of Liver Transplantation in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients at Siriraj Hospital

BACKGROUND

Liver transplantation (LT) is one of the standard treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and the outcomes have become better after introduction of strict patient selection, such as the Milan criteria. However, several expanded criteria, such as the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) criteria, have demonstrated similar survival outcomes. The aim of this study was to verify survival outcomes of LT for HCC at Siriraj Hospital.

METHODS

Sixty-three patients diagnosed with HCC who underwent cadaveric LT at Siriraj Hospital from 2002 to 2011 were included. All patients' characteristics, blood chemistries, size and number of tumors, bridging therapy, and survival and recurrence data were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed.

RESULTS

Nearly all (62 patients, 98.4%) fulfilled the Milan criteria based on preoperative imaging. Explant pathology revealed that 40 patients (63.5%) were within Milan criteria and 50 patients (83%) within UCSF criteria. Demographic data, clinical laboratory, and bridging therapy were similar in patients within and outside both Milan and UCSF criteria. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates of patients within Milan were 85%, 75%, and 67.5%, and of those outside Milan were 69.6%, 52.2%, 52.2%, respectively (P = .25). Interestingly, with the use of the UCSF criteria, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates of patients within UCSF were significantly better than of those outside UCSF (84%, 76%, and 70% vs 61.5%, 30.8%, and 30.8%, respectively; P = .01).

CONCLUSIONS

Outcome of LT in HCC patients within Milan criteria demonstrated good long-term survival. However, providing the opportunity for HCC patients by expanding from Milan to UCSF criteria revealed similar outcomes.

Systematic Pharmaceutical Educational Approach to Enhance Drug Adherence in Liver Transplant Recipients

BACKGROUND

Drug adherence is one of the most important factors determining graft and patient survivals after liver transplantation. A systematic pharmaceutical educational approach has been implemented to improve adherence in immunosuppressive drugs therapy at Siriraj Hospital.

METHODS

This study was a single-center cross-sectional study of liver transplant patients who received pharmaceutical care from transplant pharmacists. The clinical pharmacy services, including medication review to emphasize patients' knowledge and awareness of immunosuppressive and general drug therapies with the use of various tools, were used to educate the patients. Drug-related problems (DRPs) and pre- and post-transplantation educational tests (divided into 3 parts: immunosuppressants [12 points], drug monitoring [6 points], and general drugs [2 points]) were analyzed.

RESULTS

From October 2012 to September 2014, a total of 50 liver transplant recipients (86 visits) were enrolled. After the systematic pharmaceutical educational program, the average total score of post-transplantation educational test improved from 3.48 to 13.30 (P < .001). Likewise, the mean scores of all 3 parts significantly increased (part I: 2.28 vs 8.18 [P < .001]; part II: 0.75 vs 3.63 (P < .001); and part III: 0.46 vs 1.50 [P < .001]). The incidences of major DRPs, nonadherence, and adverse drug reactions were 8%, 4%, and 2%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

A systematic pharmaceutical educational approach can significantly improve patients' knowledge and awareness concerning immunosuppressive drug usage.

Murine typhus in a liver transplant recipient: report of a first case

Zoonoses, especially rickettsial diseases, are rarely reported in solid organ transplant recipients. We report here a case of murine typhus in a 69-year-old liver transplant recipient, who presented with acute febrile illness 5 years post transplantation. Although receiving treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics, he was still febrile and developed progressive dyspnea. Laboratory results showed elevated transaminases and his chest radiograph revealed bilateral interstitial infiltration. The diagnosis of murine typhus was made by a 4-fold rise in specific Rickettsia typhi antibody, using indirect immunofluorescent assay. He dramatically improved after treatment with doxycycline for 7 days. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of murine typhus in a liver transplant recipient.

Outcomes of orthotopic liver transplantation in non-malignant end-stage liver diseases

BACKGROUND

Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is an effective treatment for patients who have end-stage liver disease. The aim of this study is to compare outcomes of OLT in fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) and non-fulminant hepatic failure (non-FHF) patients.

METHODS

A retrospective review of adult patients who underwent OLT for non-malignant end-stage liver diseases between 2002 and 2011 at Siriraj Hospital was performed. All explanted liver histopathology results were reviewed. The clinical factors and overall results of OLT were analyzed.

RESULTS

Of the 137 patients, 72 patients had non-malignant diagnoses. Eleven patients were diagnosed with FHF, whereas 61 patients were in the non-FHF group. The most common indication for liver transplantation was chronic viral hepatitis. One- and 5-year survival rates (95% confidence interval) in the FHF group were 91% (51%-99%) and 91% (51%-99%), respectively, whereas those in the non-FHF group were 74% (61%-83%) and 66% (52%-77%), respectively. Multivariate cox regression analysis revealed no statistically significant difference of survival between both groups (P = .34).

CONCLUSIONS

The post-OLT outcomes in non-malignant patients were comparable between FHF and non-FHF groups in terms of survival. OLT remains the only therapeutic option for the FHF patients.

Quality of life among liver transplantation patients

BACKGROUND

Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is the treatment of choice for end-stage disease. It offers a chance to return to an active and prolonged life. Recently, more attention is being paid to the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients and their spouses or caregivers after OLT. The aim of this study was to analyze the pre- versus posttransplantation HRQoL of patients and their spouses or caregivers using generic and disease-specific health questionnaires.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study was performed between October 2010 and January 2011 using the Short Form-36 (SF-36) and the Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ) to evaluate the HRQoL.

RESULTS

Posttransplantation patients (N=59, mean age 53.39 [range, 23 to 76] years, male 63.2%, female 36.8%) and their spouses and caregivers showed significantly better generic SF-36 HRQoL scores, namely, physical and social functioning, role limitations because of physical or emotional problems, bodily pain, vitality, as well as general and mental health compared with pretransplantation patients (N=57, mean age 54.56 (range, 22 to 69) years, male 71.2%, female 28.8%). Similarly, the posttransplantation group showed significantly improved CLDQ scores in all domains: fatigue, activity, abdominal symptoms, systemic symptoms, emotional function, and worry.

CONCLUSION

OLT improved HRQoL of end-stage liver patients and their spouses or caregivers.

Recipient and perioperative risk factors associated with liver transplant graft outcomes

BACKGROUND

Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is currently considered to be the ultimate form of therapy for most patients with end-stage liver diseases. The identification of recipient and various perioperative factors that may affect the graft outcomes is critical. This study sought to analyze the preoperative and perioperative factors associated with graft outcomes in our institute.

METHODS

This retrospective study of liver transplanted patients from January 2002 to December 2009 determined the incidence of 2 forms of primary dysfunction (PDF): Primary nonfunction (PNF) and initial poor function (IPF).

RESULTS

The 97 posttransplant patients included in the study had an average age of 52.74 years. The majority of indications for OLT were hepatitis B and/or C cirrhosis, alcoholic cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The incidence of PDF was 31.9% (31/97) with 7.2% (7/97) PNF and 24.7% (24/97) IPF. Additionally, we observed 68.1% (66/97) to display immediate function (IF). Warm ischemic time (WIT) and operative time were significantly longer in the PDF compared with the IF group. The logistic regression model showed a WIT of >45 minutes to be a risk factor leading to PDF (odds ratio, 11.74; P<.05). An operative time of >6 hours and operative blood loss of >2 L were possible risk factors.

CONCLUSION

Prolonged WIT (>45 minutes) was the only significant risk factor among other established parameters for graft function. Nevertheless, reduced operative times and blood loss may improve the outcomes of OLT.

The 37-year kidney transplantation experience at Siriraj Hospital

With 37-years of experience, a total of 801 kidney transplantations (59.4% were deceased donors and 40.6% were living donors) performed at Siriraj hospital were reported. The point system parallel to OPTN/UNOS for waitlists was utilized. Most of the recipients of deceased donor kidney transplantations had 3 HLA mismatches. Due to the point allocation system, none of them had 6 HLA mismatches. Extended criteria donor comprised 7.8% of all deceased donors. Mean duration of dialysis prior to deceased donor transplant was 53 +/- 34 months. Delayed graft function (DGF) was found in 54% of deceased donor kidney transplantation and resulted in significantly higher rate of 1 year biopsy-proven acute rejection, longer duration of kidney transplant admission, higher admission cost and lower patient survival compared to those with immediate graft function. Most of living donor kidney transplant recipient had 1 haplotype match. Mean donor age was 35.9 +/- 9.8 years. 95.6% of the recipients were on hemodialysis prior to transplantation. The current standard regimen includes calcineurin inhibitor, Mycophenolic acid and prednisolone. Interleukin-2 receptor monoclonal antibody has been used in the high immunological risk or high risk for DGF recipients that were 50% of the recipients. There was no statistically significant difference in the biopsy-proven acute rejection (BPAR) free survival between deceased and living donor transplantation. Proportion of cases with the diagnosis of acute rejection according to Banff 2007 classification is as follows: 32.4% acute cellular rejection (ACR), 39.4% antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) and 21.1% mixed cellular and antibody-mediated rejection. Seventy two patients, 35 deceased donor and 37 living donor kidney transplant recipients, had biopsy-proven glomerular disease after transplantation which IgA nephropathy is the most common form of glomerulonephritis. Median graft survival was 7.6 and 13.2 years and median patient survival was 12.1 and 15.5 years for recipient of deceased and living donor transplant respectively. The follow up program of living donors was introduced in 2003 and there were not any donors who required renal replacement therapy.

Hepatic resection: effective treatment for primary and secondary tumors

BACKGROUND

Hepatic resection is an accepted therapeutic modality for isolated colorectal metastases (CRM) and primary hepatobiliary cancers (PC). Controversy continues regarding the safety, efficacy, and appropriateness of resection for noncolorectal metastases (NCM).

METHODS

A retrospective review of 167 resections in 160 patients was performed to evaluate the impact of demographics and perioperative data on survival and recurrence. Statistical analyses were performed by Student t test, analysis of variance, and Kaplan-Meier survival estimates.

RESULTS

Resections were performed for CRM, 110 of 167 (66%), NCM, 31 of 167 (19%), and PC, 26 of 167 (15%). The interval from primary to metastases was significantly longer in the NCM group than the CRM group (34.7+/-45.1 vs. 18.7+/-23.7 months; P<.01). Mean number of lesions was not different between groups; however, NCM were larger than CRM (5.9+/-4.5 vs 4.5+/-2.9 cm; P<.05). Operative complications were significantly greater for PC (54%) versus CRM and NCM (21% and 19%, respectively; P<.01), although length of stay was similar between groups. Perioperative mortality was 2%. Actuarial survival at 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years was CRM 91%, 54%, and 40%, PC 75%, 60%, and 38%, and NCM 68%, 36%, and not available, respectively (CRM vs. NCM; P<.01 at 3 years).

CONCLUSIONS

Hepatic resection for primary and secondary malignancy can be performed with minimal morbidity and mortality. Resection of NCM is associated with a lower overall survival compared with CRM and PC. The disease-free interval from resection of the primary to metastasectomy is prolonged and hepatic recurrence infrequent after resection in the NCM group. These results suggest that tumor biology is a critical determinant of outcome after hepatic resection of primary and secondary hepatic tumors.